Tucson: Quakes beat Houston Dynamo 2-0

TUCSON, Ariz. – The San Jose Earthquakes won their first preseason game of 2013 in convincing fashion, dispatching the Houston Dynamo 2-0 at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson on Tuesday.

Trialist Alexandre Emerson scored both goals for San Jose. The second-half substitute scored the first off the bounce, dipping his shot over the keeper to the far post in the 56th minute. His next came from the spot after Jacob Hustedt won a penalty in the 86th minute.

San Jose had a mix of first team players and trialists on the field. After a scoreless first half, they broke through for a pair in the second.

“It was nice to get a game under our belts. More than anything, I was proud of the boys’ work ethic and effort today,” said Earthquakes head coach Frank Yallop.

Facing a mix of reserves and regular starters, San Jose managed several scoring chances in the first half while keeping the Dynamo off the scoreboard.

The best opportunity for San Jose came from former Stanford forward Adam Jahn in the 26th minute. Hustedt lofted a ball over the Houston back line and caught the target man in stride. Jahn took a touch, cut back and curled a shot for the lower far corner, but directed it just wide.

Houston had a pair of quality looks toward the end of the first half. British export Giles Barnes fired from close range on the hop, but the shot was blocked by rookie center back Tommy Muller. On the ensuing corner kick, Franck Songo’o located the second ball and sent a laser on target, but the shot was knocked away by a San Jose defender.

San Jose took control from the outset of the second half. Matt Fondy netted a goal in the 50th minute, but it was called back for offsides. The Earthquakes finally broke through in the 56th with Emerson’s first goal. Emerson put the game on ice half an hour later after Hustedt was tripped from behind in the box, creating a spot-kick chance that the trialist capitalized on.

The Earthquakes return to action on Saturday against the Colorado Rapids. The match kicks off at 10 a.m. PT at the Kino Sports Complex and will be streamed live at www.sjearthquakes.com.